Bembe & Kimbel U.S. House of Representatives Chair

An example of an original Oak Bembe & Kimbel U.S. House of Representatives Chair bearing the maker’s stencil on the inner seat panel.

Bembe & Kimbel manufactured 131 of these chairs for the 1857 remodel of the House, overseen by Montgomery C. Meigs. The chairs were designed by the architect, Thomas Ustik Walter and his original design drawing for the chair can be seen below.

This chair retains what appears to be the original leather chair back and one of the arm rest pads. The 4 casters are intact and are original. The chair has “XXXXXXII” carved into the underside of one of the armrests.